Bellamy, 32, has recovered fully from a back spasm that saw him miss the 6-1 win over Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend and is confident that he will be ready to start at Wembley.

"My fitness is fine. My back spasmed up after I came on against Manchester United a week and a bit ago, and it just got a little bit worse during the week instead of improving," he said. "The manager said 'look, if you need an injection then get it done now because we have a lot of games coming up. It's such a busy period, so get it sorted just in case.' I start training on Thursday, so I'm fine at the moment."

The Wales international grew up in Cardiff and has deep affection for the Bluebirds having supported them as a boy.

"I certainly won't celebrate. I tried not to against Man City [another former club; in the semi-final], I tried to hold myself back," he added. "Really I didn't celebrate that much but in the occasion and the moment you get a little bit carried away. I have no aspirations of celebrating. But I have to be on the pitch first and foremost before I think about scoring.

"It will be a strange situation as it's the first time I've ever played against them. It's not something I've looked forward to doing, to be honest. My father's a big Cardiff fan and it's the club I used to go to when I was very young. I set one ambition in my life to play for them and I was able to do that."

Bellamy's only trophy success in England is his Charity Shield win with Liverpool in 2006, but he claimed that the club are targeting a top four spot over either the Carling Cup or FA Cup.

"Would we choose Champions League qualification over winning the Carling Cup? I think we would," he said. "Would Cardiff chose getting in the Premier League over winning the Carling Cup? I think they would as well. The top four is our main focus this season and the cup competitions are a bonus."